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Milk intolerance





NHS Choices Syndication


Lactose intolerance

Causes of lactose intolerance

Lactose intolerance is usually the result of a lactase deficiency. Lactase is an enzyme (protein that causes a chemical reaction to occur) normally produced in your small intestine that is used to digest lactose. 

If you have a lactase deficiency, it means that your body does not produce enough lactase.

Digesting lactose

After eating or drinking something containing lactose, it passes down your oesophagus (gullet) and into your stomach, where it is digested. The digested food then passes into your small intestine.

The lactase in your small intestine should break down the lactose into glucose and galactose (other types of sugar), which are then absorbed into your bloodstream. If there is not enough lactase, the unabsorbed lactose moves through your digestive system to your colon (large intestine).

Bacteria in the colon ferment (break down) the lactose, producing fatty acids and gases such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen and methane. The breakdown of the lactose in the colon, and the resulting acids and gases that are produced, cause the symptoms of lactose intolerance such as flatulence and bloating.

Types of lactase deficiency

The main types of lactase deficiency are outlined below.

Primary lactase deficiency

Primary lactase deficiency is the most common cause of lactose intolerance worldwide. This type of lactase deficiency is caused by an inherited genetic fault that runs in families.

Primary lactase deficiency develops when your lactase production decreases when your diet becomes less reliant on milk and dairy products. This is usually after the age of two, when breastfeeding or bottle-feeding has stopped, although the symptoms may not be noticeable until adulthood.

Secondary lactase deficiency

Secondary lactase deficiency is a shortage of lactase caused by a problem in your small intestine. It can occur at any age, and may be the result of another condition, surgery to your small intestine, or taking certain medication.

Secondary lactase deficiency is the most common cause of lactose intolerance in the UK, particularly in babies and young children.

Possible causes of secondary lactase deficiency include:

The decrease in the production of lactase in secondary lactase deficiency is sometimes only temporary, but it may be permanent if it’s caused by a long-term condition.

It is also possible to develop secondary lactase deficiency later in life, even without another condition to trigger it. This is because your body’s production of lactase naturally reduces as you get older.

Congenital lactase deficiency

Congenital lactase deficiency is a rare condition that runs in families and is found in newborn babies.

It is caused by an inherited genetic fault that means affected babies produce very little or no lactase

The genetic mutation responsible for congenital lactase deficiency is passed on in what is known as an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern. This means both parents must have a copy of the faulty gene to pass on the condition.

Read more about genetic inheritance.

Developmental lactase deficiency

Some babies born prematurely (before the 37th week of pregnancy) have a temporary lactose intolerance because their small intestine was not fully developed by the time they were born.

This is known as developmental lactase deficiency and it usually improves as affected babies get older.

Bacteria
Bacteria are tiny, single-celled organisms that live in the body. Some can cause illness and disease and some are good for you.
Blood
Blood supplies oxygen to the body and removes carbon dioxide. It is pumped around the body by the heart.
Enzymes
Enzymes are proteins that speed up and control chemical reactions, such as digestion, in the body.
Gene
A gene is a unit of genetic material that determines your body’s characteristics.
Genetic
Genetic is a term that refers to genes. Genes are the characteristics inherited from a family member.
Intestines
The intestines are the part of the digestive system between the stomach and the anus that digests and absorbs food and liquid.
Published Date
2014-05-09 15:44:15Z
Last Review Date
2014-04-27 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date
2016-04-27 00:00:00Z
Classification
Blood,Lactose intolerance






NHS Choices Syndication


Lactose intolerance

Complications of lactose intolerance

Milk and other dairy products are an important part of a healthy diet. They contain calcium, protein and vitamins such as vitamins A, B12 and D.

Lactose is also important because it helps your body absorb a number of other minerals, including magnesium and zinc. These vitamins and minerals are important for the development of strong, healthy bones.

See vitamins and minerals for more information about the different nutrients you should have in your diet and how much of each you need to stay healthy.

If you are lactose intolerant, getting the right amount of important vitamins and minerals can prove difficult. This may lead to unhealthy weight loss and put you at increased risk of developing the following conditions.

  • Osteopenia – where you have a very low bone-mineral density. If osteopenia is not treated, it can develop into osteoporosis.
  • Osteoporosis – where your bones become thin and weak. If you have osteoporosis, your risk of getting fractures and broken bones is increased.
  • Malnutrition – when the food you eat does not give you the nutrients essential for a healthy functioning body. If you are malnourished, wounds can take longer to heal and you may start to feel tired or depressed.

If you are concerned that dietary restrictions are putting you at risk of complications, you may find it helpful to consult a dietitian. They can advise you on your diet and whether you require food supplements.

Your GP should be able to refer you to an NHS dietitian free of charge. Alternatively, you can contact a private dietician. The British Dietetic Association has information on how to find a private dietitian.

Published Date
2014-05-09 15:44:54Z
Last Review Date
2014-04-27 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date
2016-04-27 00:00:00Z
Classification
Lactose intolerance,Physical wellbeing,Weight loss






NHS Choices Syndication


Lactose intolerance

Diagnosing lactose intolerance

It’s important to visit your GP if you think you or your child may have lactose intolerance, as the symptoms can be similar to other conditions.

Before seeing your GP, keep a diary of what you eat and drink, and what symptoms you experience. Tell your GP if you notice any patterns, or if there are any foods that you seem particularly sensitive to.

Your GP may suggest that you try removing lactose from your diet for two weeks to see if it helps to relieve your symptoms. This will provide further evidence that you are lactose intolerant.

Further testing

Other tests are not usually needed, but your GP may sometimes suggest further tests to help confirm the diagnosis, to find out how much lactase (the enzyme used to digest lactose) your body is producing or to try to determine what might be causing your lactose intolerance.

Some of the main tests that may be used are described below.

Hydrogen breath test

A hydrogen breath test is a simple and useful way of determining if you may be lactose intolerant.

You will be asked to avoid eating or drinking during the night before the test. When you arrive for the test, a sample of your breath will be tested to find out how much hydrogen is present. This is measured in parts per million (ppm).

You will then be given a drink of lactose solution and your breath will be tested regularly over the next few hours to see if the level of hydrogen changes.

If your breath contains a large amount of hydrogen (more than 20 ppm above your baseline) after consuming the lactose solution, it is likely that you are lactose intolerant. This is because lactose intolerance can cause the bacteria in the colon (large intestine) to produce more hydrogen than normal.

Lactose tolerance test

In a lactose tolerance test, you will be given a drink of lactose solution, and then a sample of blood will be taken from your arm using a needle. The blood will be tested to see how much glucose (blood sugar) it contains.

If you are lactose intolerant, your blood sugar levels will either rise slowly, or not at all. This is because your body is unable to break down the lactose into glucose.

Milk tolerance test

In a milk tolerance test, you will be given a glass of milk (about 500ml) and your blood sugar levels will be tested. If your blood sugar levels do not rise after drinking the milk, you may be lactose intolerant.

Small bowel biopsy

As a small bowel biopsy is an invasive surgical procedure, it is rarely used to diagnose lactose intolerance. However, it may be carried out to see if your symptoms are being caused by another condition, such as coeliac disease.

In a small bowel biopsy, a sample of your small intestinal lining is taken using an endoscope (a thin, flexible tube with a light and a tiny cutting tool at the end) that is passed down your throat. This will be carried out under local anaesthetic, so it will not hurt.

The sample of intestinal lining will be tested to see how much lactase it contains. If it only contains a small amount of lactase, it is likely you are lactose intolerant. The sample can also be examined to look for signs of a possible underlying conditions such as coeliac disease.

Blood
Blood supplies oxygen to the body and removes carbon dioxide. It is pumped around the body by the heart.
Intestines
The intestines are the part of the digestive system between the stomach and the anus that digests and absorbs food and liquid.
Published Date
2014-05-09 15:44:26Z
Last Review Date
2014-04-27 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date
2016-04-27 00:00:00Z
Classification
Blood,Lactose intolerance






NHS Choices Syndication


Lactose intolerance

Gary's story

Gary Alexander is a writer and author who lives in London. He suffered from secondary lactose intolerance for several months after a severe bout of gastroenteritis.

“I’d been ill for a few days with severe diarrhoea and abdominal pain, and was losing weight. I eventually went to see my doctor. Because the right side of my abdomen was tender, she thought it was appendicitis. Within minutes an ambulance had arrived and I was whisked to hospital. There, after a number of tests I was put on to a drip to counter my dehydration, and was diagnosed with gastroenteritis. I spent three days in hospital and two weeks recuperating at home, eating a very plain diet of rice and vegetables.

“I’ve always eaten a lot of dairy foods. I usually eat yoghurt and fruit for breakfast, take milk in my tea and coffee and eat cheese every day. But once I started to incorporate dairy food back into my diet, immediately I felt things weren’t quite right. I began to feel bloated and my tummy was rumbling badly. I had mild diarrhoea, and was concerned my gastroenteritis hadn’t properly cleared up, so went back to my doctor.

“She told me it was likely to be secondary lactose intolerance, and that I’d need to avoid all lactose for a while, especially in the form of milk.

“It was hard. At first, I tried to eliminate all dairy products and eat different foods. I experimented with soya milk and other milks, such as oat milk, which are all palatable, and soya yoghurt, which is not. I was missing cheese, so I reintroduced that gradually without any problems. My doctor had told me that most cheese is quite low in lactose anyway. Once I’d managed that, yoghurt came next, and that was fine too.

“Milk was not so easy. The first time I tried to introduce it I felt some familiar rumbles and knew my body wasn’t ready for it. It took a few more weeks before I could reincorporate it gradually, with a little milk in tea and coffee.

“After about six months of gradual reintroduction and experimentation, I returned to normal. Now, I can eat all dairy again without any problem, but every now and then I use dairy substitutes, just for variety.”

Published Date
2014-07-11 13:43:25Z
Last Review Date
2014-04-27 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date
2016-04-27 00:00:00Z
Classification
Dairy drinks,Gastroenteritis,Lactose intolerance






NHS Choices Syndication


Lactose intolerance

Introduction

Lactose intolerance is a common digestive problem where the body is unable to digest lactose, a type of sugar mainly found in milk and dairy products.

Symptoms of lactose intolerance include:

These symptoms usually develop within a few hours of consuming food or drink that contains lactose.

Read more about the symptoms of lactose intolerance.

When to seek medical advice

The symptoms of lactose intolerance can be similar to several other conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), so it’s important to see your GP for a diagnosis before removing milk and dairy products from your diet.

If your GP thinks you are likely to have lactose intolerance, they may then suggest avoiding foods and drinks containing lactose for two weeks to see if your symptoms improve.

Read more about diagnosing lactose intolerance.

What causes lactose intolerance?

The body digests lactose using a substance called lactase to break down lactose into two sugars called glucose and galactose, which can then be easily absorbed into the bloodstream.

People with lactose intolerance don’t produce enough lactase, so lactose stays in the digestive system where it is fermented by bacteria, leading to the production of various gases, which cause the symptoms associated with lactose intolerance.

Depending on the underlying reason why the body does not produce enough lactase, lactose intolerance may be temporary or permanent. Most cases that develop in adults are inherited and tend to be lifelong, but cases in young children are often caused by an infection in the digestive system and may only last for a few weeks.

Read more about the causes of lactose intolerance.

Is it an allergy?

Lactose intolerance is not the same as a milk or dairy allergy. Food allergies are caused by a reaction to a food by your immune system, causing symptoms such as a rash, wheezing and itching.

If you’re allergic to something, even a tiny particle can be enough to trigger a reaction, while most people with lactose intolerance can still consume small amounts of lactose without experiencing any problems (although this varies from person to person).

Treating lactose intolerance

There is no cure for lactose intolerance, but limiting your intake of food and drink containing lactose will usually help control the symptoms.

Depending on what dairy products you are able to eat, you may also require additional calcium and vitamin D supplements to keep your bones strong and healthy. In some cases, your GP may refer you to a dietitian for further advice.

In addition to dietary changes, lactase substitutes may also be helpful. These are drops or tablets you can take with your meals or drinks to improve your digestion of lactose.

Read more about treating lactose intolerance.

Who is affected

Rates of lactose intolerance can differ significantly between different ethnic groups. For example, it is thought that only one in 50 people of northern European descent have some degree of lactose intolerance, whereas most people of Chinese descent have the condition.

This may be because people from places where there has historically been no ready access to milk, such as Africa or east Asia, may not have evolved the ability to digest lactose as there was no significant benefit in being able to do so.

In the UK, lactose intolerance is more common in people of Asian or African-Caribbean descent.

Lactose intolerance can develop at any age. Many cases first develop in people aged 20 to 40, although babies and young children can also be affected.

Blood
Blood supplies oxygen to the body and removes carbon dioxide. It is pumped around the body by the heart.
Enzymes
Enzymes are proteins that speed up and control chemical reactions, such as digestion, in the body.
Published Date
2014-05-09 15:43:50Z
Last Review Date
2014-04-27 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date
2016-04-27 00:00:00Z
Classification
Blood,Lactose intolerance






NHS Choices Syndication


Lactose intolerance

Symptoms of lactose intolerance

The symptoms of lactose intolerance will usually occur within a few hours of consuming food or drink that contains lactose, such as dairy products.

The main symptoms include:

  • flatulence (wind)
  • diarrhoea
  • bloated stomach
  • stomach cramps and pains
  • stomach rumbling
  • feeling sick

The severity of your symptoms and exactly when you begin to experience them will depend on the amount of lactose that you have consumed.

The amount of lactose that it takes to cause your symptoms will vary from person to person. For example, some people may still be able to drink a small glass of milk without triggering any symptoms, while others may not even be able to have milk in their tea or coffee.

Seeking medical advice

The symptoms of lactose intolerance can be similar to those of other conditions, so it’s important to see a GP for a medical diagnosis if you think you or your child may be lactose intolerant.

For example, the symptoms above can also be caused by:

  • irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – a long-term disorder that affects the digestive system
  • milk protein intolerance – an adverse reaction to the protein in milk from cows (not the same as a milk allergy)  

Read more about diagnosing lactose intolerance.

Allergy
Allergy is the term used to describe an adverse (bad) reaction that the body has to a particular substance.
Immune system
The immune system is the body’s defence system, which helps protect it from disease, bacteria and viruses.
Published Date
2014-05-09 15:44:03Z
Last Review Date
2014-04-27 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date
2016-04-27 00:00:00Z
Classification
Lactose intolerance






NHS Choices Syndication


Lactose intolerance

Treating lactose intolerance

There is no cure for lactose intolerance, but most people are able to control their symptoms by making changes to their diet.

Some cases of lactose intolerance, such as those caused by gastroenteritis, are only temporary and will improve within a few days or weeks. Other cases, such as those caused by an inherited genetic fault or a long-term underlying condition, are likely to be lifelong.

Changing your diet

In most cases, cutting down on or avoiding sources of lactose and replacing them with lactose-free alternatives is enough to control the symptoms of lactose intolerance.

The exact changes you need to make to your diet depend on how sensitive you are to lactose. Some people are able to tolerate some lactose in their diet without any problems, whereas others experience symptoms after consuming food containing only a very small amount of lactose.

If you decide to experiment with what you can and can’t eat, make sure that you introduce new foods gradually, rather than all at once. This will help you to get used to any foods that you might be sensitive to and identify any that cause problems.

Eating fewer products containing lactose, or avoiding them completely, can mean you miss out on certain vitamins and minerals in your diet and increase your risk of complications of lactose intolerance. You will therefore also need to make sure you are getting enough nutrition from either lacto-free foods or dietary supplements.

If you or your child are extremely sensitive to lactose, talk to your GP about your diet. You may need to have regular bone mineral density checks, or you may be referred to a dietitian (an expert in diet and nutrition). They can advise you about what foods should be included in your, or your child’s, diet.

Sources of lactose

Some of the main sources of lactose you may need to cut down on or avoid if you are lactose intolerant are described below.

Milk

A major source of lactose is milk, including cow’s milk, goat’s milk and sheep’s milk. Depending on how mild or severe your lactose intolerance is, you may need to change the amount of milk in your diet.

For example:

  • you may be able to have milk in your tea or coffee, but not on your cereal
  • some products containing milk, such as milk chocolate, may still be acceptable in small quantities
  • you may find that drinking milk as part of a meal, rather than on its own, improves how the lactose is absorbed

If even a small amount of milk triggers your symptoms, there are some alternatives that you can try, such as soya or rice milk (see below).

Dairy products

Other dairy products made from milk, such as butter, ice cream and cheese, can also contain high levels of lactose and may need to be avoided if you are lactose intolerant.

Some dairy products however, such as hard cheese and yoghurt, contain lower levels of lactose than milk and other products, so you may still be able to have them.

It’s worth experimenting with different foods to try to find out if there are any dairy products you can eat because they are a good source of essential nutrients such as calcium.

Other foods and drinks

As well as milk and dairy products, there are other food and drinks that can sometimes contain lactose.

These can include:

  • salad cream, salad dressing and mayonnaise
  • biscuits
  • chocolate
  • boiled sweets
  • cakes
  • some types of bread and other baked goods
  • some breakfast cereals
  • packets of mixes to make pancakes and biscuits
  • packets of instant potatoes and instant soup
  • some processed meats, such as sliced ham

Check the ingredients of all food and drink products carefully, because milk or lactose are often hidden ingredients.

The lactose found in some foods will not necessarily be listed separately on the food label, so you need to check the ingredients list for milk, whey, curds and milk products such as cheese, butter, cream.

Some ingredients may sound like they contain lactose when they don’t, such as lactic acid, sodium lactate and cocoa butter. These ingredients don’t need to be avoided if you are lactose intolerant.

Medication

Some prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines and complementary medicines may contain a small amount of lactose. While this is not usually enough to trigger the symptoms of lactose intolerance in most people, it may cause problems if your intolerance is severe or you are taking several different medicines.

If you need to start taking a new medication, check with your GP or pharmacist in case it contains lactose.

Lactose-free foods and drinks

There are a number of alternative foods and drinks available in supermarkets to replace the milk and dairy products you need to avoid.

Food and drinks that don’t usually contain lactose include:

  • soya milks, yoghurts and some cheeses
  • milks made from rice, oats, quinoa, almonds, hazelnuts, coconut and potato
  • foods which carry the ‘dairy-free’ or ‘suitable for vegans’ signs
  • carob bars

You can also buy cow’s milk containing additional lactase (the enzyme used to digest lactose). This means you still get the nutritional benefits of the milk, but you are less likely to experience any symptoms after consuming it.

Getting enough calcium

If you are unable to eat most dairy products, you may not be getting enough calcium in your daily diet. Calcium has several important functions, including helping build strong bones and teeth, regulating muscle contractions (including heartbeat) and ensuring blood clots normally.

Therefore, it’s a good idea to choose lactose-free products with added calcium and ensure your diet contains alternative sources of calcium, such as:

  • green leafy vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage and okra
  • soya beans
  • tofu
  • nuts
  • bread and anything made with fortified flour
  • fish containing edible bones (for example, sardines, salmon, and pilchards)

You can also buy combined calcium and vitamin D supplements from most pharmacists to help maintain good bone health.

It is important to check with your GP or dietitian whether you should be taking supplements, however, as taking excessively high levels of calcium can cause side effects.

Lactase substitutes

In addition to dietary changes, you may also find it useful to take liquid drops, tablets or capsules that contain lactase substitutes. These are available from most health foods shops.

Lactase substitutes replace the lactase your small intestine is not producing, which can reduce your symptoms by helping your body break down any lactose in your diet more easily.

Lactase substitutes can either be added to milk or taken just before eating a meal containing lactose.

Lactose intolerance in children

If your child is lactose intolerant, they may be able to consume small amounts of lactose without experiencing symptoms. This is quite safe, but you may need to experiment to find out how much they can comfortably eat or drink.

If your child is unable to tolerate any lactose, your doctor may refer you to a dietitian for nutritional advice because it is important young children have certain nutrients in their diet to ensure healthy growth and development.

In general, the same rules about foods to try or to avoid are similar for children and adults (see above).

For babies with lactose intolerance, lactose-free formula milk is available to buy from pharmacies and supermarkets, although soya formula is not recommended for children under six months because  it contains hormones that may interfere with your baby’s future physical and sexual development.

Breastfed babies may benefit from lactase substitute drops to help their bodies digest the lactose in breast milk.

For many children, lactose intolerance is only temporary and will improve after a few weeks, after which point it is safe to gradually reintroduce milk and dairy products into their diet.

Published Date
2014-05-12 13:51:07Z
Last Review Date
2014-04-27 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date
2016-04-27 00:00:00Z
Classification
Dairy drinks,Dairy foods,Fruit and vegetables,Lactose intolerance






NHS Choices Syndication


Lactose intolerance

Zoe's story

Zoe Bastion is an assistant content producer at the BBC. She has had primary lactose intolerance for most of her life.

“I can’t digest any dairy products at all, and have had problems with them most of my life. When I eat dairy food I suffer from diarrhoea, usually within a few hours. I avoid milk in coffee and don’t eat yoghurt or hard cheese either. Soft cheese affects me really badly, as does any milk at all. If I eat a lot of cheese I get very bad stomach cramps, which unfortunately don’t make it any easier to give up: cheese is one of my favourite foods. Every now and then I’m tempted to eat an enormous pizza and always suffer the consequences.

“I wasn’t diagnosed until I was about 26. I had realised something was up for years, but didn’t really think about it. Even as a child I’d get wind within a few minutes of eating blue cheese, and would get a tickly cough every time I had hot milk at night. I never liked custard made with milk – I always had the water-based one.

“When my doctor told me what it was, it took me about a year to give up milk and dairy properly. Cheese, chocolate milk, bread, potatoes and bananas were my staple diet. I went to see a nutritionist when my doctor told me to cut out dairy foods because, as a vegetarian, I wasn’t sure what was left for me to eat. I didn’t want to start eating meat and fish again, but I would have done if I thought my health would suffer.

“Following my nutritionist’s advice, I have been eating a healthy, balanced diet ever since. I eat lots of beans, pulses, tofu, vegetables, fruit, Marmite and soya milk, which is enriched with calcium and B12. I’m a good cook because I’ve had to experiment, so I don’t get bored with my food. I have a packed lunch most days, although the canteen here is enormous and there’s always a lot of choice for vegans.

“Eating out is easy, especially in London. I love Thai, Chinese and Indian food. And if you do go anywhere that doesn’t cater for veggies or vegans, there’s always chips!”

Published Date
2014-07-11 13:43:12Z
Last Review Date
2014-04-27 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date
2016-04-27 00:00:00Z
Classification
Dairy drinks,Lactose intolerance


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